Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus "constrained" his disciples to go ahead without him, which sounds harsh, but it was a deliberate choice to push them towards greater dependence on him, even when he wasn't physically present. This wasn't a gentle suggestion; it was a strong nudge to train them for the faith they'd need later.
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately after feeding the thousands, Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowds. This sets the stage for him to withdraw for prayer, but it also leads to a terrifying encounter for the disciples on the water as he plans to pass them by. The disciples' confusion about this miracle, rooted in their prior lack of understanding about the feeding of the loaves, highlights their ongoing struggle to grasp Jesus' divine power.
Why did Jesus 'constrain' his disciples to leave him behind? What was so urgent about their departure?
The disciples likely wanted to stay with Jesus, perhaps to bask in the glow of the miraculous feeding or to avoid the coming night and potential dangers on the sea. But Jesus, with divine foresight, 'constrained' them – a strong word implying he urged or even compelled them. This wasn't about pushing them away, but about directing them towards a specific, necessary path.
While His disciples headed out onto the water, Jesus turned in the opposite direction. What drew Him away from the crowd and His followers?
After sending the disciples and dismissing the crowds, Jesus deliberately sought solitude to pray. This wasn't a sign of weakness or detachment, but a vital part of His ministry and example.
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Understand the original words
ochlos · Greek Noun
A standard term for the gathered group of people, often used to refer to the common people or the masses who followed Jesus. In the Gospels, they are frequently the recipients of Jesus' compassion and teaching.
peran · Greek Adverb/Noun
A technical term for the 'other' shore or sea, often symbolizing a movement toward a new mission field or place of ministry. In Mark, it frequently signifies crossing into Gentile territory or a new phase of Jesus' ministry.
This event occurs immediately after the feeding of the 5,000, a massive public display of Jesus' power. Jesus deliberately separates Himself from the crowd and His disciples to pray, then demonstrates His authority over nature itself in a private moment with the disciples. This highlights His dual focus: public ministry and private communion with God, as well as His divine power displayed in both intimate and public settings.
c. AD 28
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over 5,000 men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fish. This event draws a massive crowd and highlights Jesus' power and compassion.
c. AD 28— this verse
Disciples sent across the Sea of Galilee
After the miracle of feeding the 5,000, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of Him in a boat towards Bethsaida while He dismisses the crowd, intending to pray alone.
c. AD 28
Jesus Prays Alone on the Mountain
While the disciples are on the sea, Jesus withdraws to a mountain to pray, seeking solitude and communion with God.
c. AD 28
Jesus Walks on Water
During the night, Jesus walks on the stormy Sea of Galilee towards the disciples' boat and joins them, calming the wind and waves.
c. AD 28
Arrival in the Land of Gennesaret
After the miraculous events on the sea, Jesus and the disciples land in Gennesaret, where Jesus continues to perform miracles of healing.
This passage narrates the same event, detailing Jesus sending his disciples ahead and then walking on the water to meet them, highlighting their struggles with faith in the storm and Peter's momentary courage and doubt.
John 6:14-21John's account also covers this event, emphasizing the disciples' fear and confusion when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and their astonishment upon reaching the shore.
Luke 9:10-17Luke's Gospel recounts the feeding of the five thousand in a 'desolate place belonging to Bethsaida,' providing geographical context and focusing on Jesus' compassion for the crowds before sending the disciples away.
Isaiah 43:1-2This prophecy speaks of God's presence and protection through 'the waters' and 'the rivers,' echoing the theme of divine rescue for His people, as Jesus' disciples experienced when He came to them in the storm.
Psalm 107:23-30This psalm vividly describes sailors caught in a storm on the sea crying out to the Lord, who then calms the waters, paralleling the disciples' distress and Jesus' power to bring peace amidst chaos.
pooleMark 6:45: "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people."
Ver. 45,46. If this desert where Christ was were, as Luke saith, Luke 9:10 , a desert belonging to Bethsaida, those words, eiv to peran prov bhysaidan, are ill translated unto Bethsaida, and the marginal note in our larger Bibles is better, over against Bethsaida. Our Saviour here first sends away his disciples by water, then he dismis…
gillMark 6:45: "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people."
And straightway he constrained his disciples,.... The reasons of this is See Gill on Matthew 14:22 , to get into the ship; in which they came to this place, and which was waiting for them: and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida; or rather "to go to the other side over against Bethsaida"; for they were now in a desert belongi…
Jesus "constrained" his disciples to go ahead without him, which sounds harsh, but it was a deliberate choice to push them towards greater dependence on him, even when he wasn't physically present. This wasn't a gentle suggestion; it was a strong nudge to train them for the faith they'd need later.
Immediately after feeding the thousands, Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowds. This sets the stage for him to withdraw for prayer, but it also leads to a terrifying encounter for the disciples on the water as he plans to pass them by. The disciples' confusion about this miracle, rooted in their prior lack of understanding about the feeding of the loaves, highlights their ongoing struggle to grasp Jesus' divine power.
Immediately after feeding the thousands, Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowds. This sets the stage for him to withdraw for prayer, but it also leads to a terrifying encounter for the disciples on the water as he plans to pass them by. The disciples' confusion about this miracle, rooted in their prior lack of understanding about the feeding of the loaves, highlights their ongoing struggle to grasp Jesus' divine power.
"Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd." — Jesus "constrained" his disciples to go ahead without him, which sounds harsh, but it was a deliberate choice to push them towards greater dependence on him, even when he wasn't physically present. T…
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Last reviewed October 2026